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Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes

Crockpot Green Chicken Pozole (Pozole Verde)

Published: Sep 25, 2020 Last Updated: May 12, 2023 by Marye 966 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
8 hours hrs 2 minutes mins
Green chicken pozole (posole verde) is the Mexican version of chicken soup. Tender chicken, chewy hominy, and peppers simmer all day in the slow cooker making your kitchen smell delicious. Stovetop instructions included, too!
Overhead view of the soup in a white bowl with text overlay. Second Pinterest image.
Close up of chicken pozole in a white bowl with text overlay for Pinterest.

In the mood for beef? Try my recipe for old fashioned beef and noodles.

Overhead view of pozole verde with a title text overlay.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe...
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📖 Love the recipes? Get the book!
  • Related recipes
  • Green Chicken Pozole (Pozole Verde)
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe...

  • simple Mexican inspired soup
  • easy to make - just throw it together in the crock pot
  • light and fresh

Chicken pozole verde is the best ending to a cold, rainy day. Fall-apart-tender chicken, chewy hominy, and plenty of  southwestern spices and herbs come together in this spicy, brothy soup to create a mouthful of magic.

And it's my favorite remedy for a cold.

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for pozole verde.

You can add other green vegetables as you wish - think cabbage, spinach, zucchini, celery, etc.

  • Poblano peppers are mild in heat but so delicious! You can substitute Bell peppers if you can't find poblanos or if you don't care for the spicy heat.
  • Chicken breast is what I use but you can use boneless thighs if you like.

Optional Garnishes

Once the pozole (posole) is finished you serve it up in soup bowls and float your favorite garnishes on top. Here are the ones I like best -

Labeled garnishes for this recipe.

Cojita cheese is a crumbly Mexican cheese that's very similar in taste and texture to feta. It's easy to find here in Texas but if you have trouble getting it where you are just substitute feta.

It adds a salty bite to the recipe that really gives it a boost of flavor.

Some people like finely sliced cabbage on top.

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Steps to make chicken pozole verde.
  1. Add all of the ingredients except the garnish to your slow cooker.
  2. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 hours.
  3. Shred the chicken with 2 forks before serving.
  4. Garnish with toppings of choice, squeezing a little lime juice into each bowl.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip:If you want to keep the spicy level down then be sure to seed and remove membranes before adding them to the soup. ALWAYS wear gloves when working with hot peppers!

  • For even more flavor you can use bone in chicken and then remove the bones and any skin before serving.
  • If you like cilantro be generous with it.
  • To freeze pozole let it cool to room temperature and then add to firm freezer containers - I wouldn't recommend freezer bags. To thaw: place in the refrigerator overnight and heat before serving.

This is seriously such a simple meal that you'll be making it all winter long! This green chicken pozole recipe is light and fresh plus it's even better the second day!

Close up of a bowl of green chicken pozole.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Is it spelled posole or pozole?

Either is correct. In Central Mexico you're more likely to see it spelled pozole and in the border areas it's often posole.

What is pozole made of?

There are two kinds of pozole. Red pozole (or pozole roja) is usually made with ground chiles and pork. Pozole verde is most often made with chicken and a clear broth.

Can you freeze chicken pozole?

Yes! This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months.

What is hominy?

Hominy is dried corn that's been soaked in lime. It puffs up and gets soft and chewy. You can usually find it in a can in the grocery store.

What can I use in place of the hominy?

Nothing. Without hominy pozole is just chicken soup.

🍽️ Serve with...

I like to keep it simple. This is an easy soup -- it's so flavorful that it's a shame to add too many other flavors. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with chicken pozole verde.

  • Warm flour tortillas and butter.
  • I also like the crunch of tortilla chips with this.
  • Sopapillas are good anytime. When I was in Santa Fe they served them like bread -without sugar.
  • A salad on the side is always welcome.
  • Finish dinner and relax into the evening with mugs of spiked Mexican hot chocolate or apple cider sangria.

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Overhead view of pozole in a white bowl.
4.84 from 67 votes

Green Chicken Pozole (Pozole Verde)

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Green chicken pozole (posole verde) is the Mexican version of chicken soup. Tender chicken, chewy hominy, and peppers simmer all day in the slow cooker making your kitchen smell delicious. Stovetop instructions included, too!
Course Main Dish - Chicken,Slow Cooker
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 2 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:314
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 cup onion, diced. Use more if desired.
  • 1 poblano pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced thinly in rounds or diced (be sure to remove seeds)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 ounces green chiles, (canned) diced
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 28 ounces white hominy, drained and rinsed
  • 3 boneless chicken breasts, or thighs
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • Salt to taste

Optional Garnish

  • avocado, diced
  • lime wedges
  • cilantro, chopped
  • cotija cheese, crumbled. Feta can be substituted.
  • cabbage, shredded
  • radishes, thinly sliced

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients except the garnish to your slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Shred the chicken with 2 forks before serving.
  • Garnish with toppings of choice, squeezing a little lime juice into each bowl.

Stovetop Instructions

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a little oil in a heavy skillet until rippling.
  • Brown chicken on both sides.
  • Turn heat down and cook until cooked through (165F)
  • Add pozole ingredients to a stockpot.
  • Bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Dice or shred the cooked chicken and add it to the pot.
  • Simmer 10 more minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
  • Serve with garnishes as above.

Notes

  • Always, always, always wear gloves when working with jalapenos. Trust me.
  • For even more flavor you can use bone in chicken and then remove the bones and any skin before serving.
  • If you like cilantro be generous with it.
  • To freeze pozole let it cool to room temperature and then add to firm freezer containers - I wouldn't recommend freezer bags. To thaw: place in the refrigerator overnight and heat before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1027mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg

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    First published December 28, 2015. Last updated September 11, 2021 improve editorial content.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joanne Turner

      December 20, 2022 at 9:24 pm

      Hmm? I made this recipe as written, but it had no spice at all. Not sure what happened. most of the other reviews say it is very good.

      Reply
      • Marye

        December 22, 2022 at 5:42 pm

        It could be a matter of your tastes or the ingredients you used among other things.

        Reply
    2. Kay

      April 22, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      YUMMY!!!!!!

      Reply
    3. Chas

      February 17, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      If I cook on medium how long would I do it For ?

      Reply
      • Marye

        February 18, 2022 at 10:20 am

        Most slow cookers have low and high. If you cook on high it would be half the time.

        Reply
    4. Kristen

      January 10, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      Can you make this recipe on high to cook I’m a shorter time?

      Reply
      • Marye

        January 10, 2021 at 2:08 pm

        You can but cooking chicken on high for a shorter time isn't recommended. It tends to come out more dry. If you're going to do that use chicken thighs instead of breast.

        Reply
    5. Donna

      October 11, 2020 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      This was SO good. I made this today (and yes, it's a cool and rainy day) on the stovetop because I don't have a slow cooker. I don't like onions so I sliced them large and toward the end of cooking, fished them out, put them in the Nutribullet with broth and pureed it to pour back in the pot. Perhaps, I should say that I don't like the texture of onion, but I love the flavor it imparts. I have dirtied nearly every spoon tasting it periodically. I was afraid it would be all gone.

      I'm on my way to get limes so I can serve with ALL the garnishments, but even without, this is delicious! Thank you for sharing this! I'm not sure I'll be making regular chicken soup for a LOOONG time.

      Reply
      • Marye

        October 16, 2020 at 11:08 am

        LOL Donna! Glad you liked it

        Reply
    6. Kelly Vaughn

      September 27, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      Made this today!!! I think the lord sent an angel down to bless me. lol It was so good. Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Marye

        September 28, 2020 at 8:08 am

        I am so glad you like it!!

        Reply
    7. Chelle Mallory

      February 09, 2017 at 2:08 pm

      making this soup for dinner tonite, we have a 3 year old who likes spicy but not too spicy, I left out the jalapeno for now, it's just starting, maybe a few slices big enough to pick out if they have to ?? Everyone here has been fighting the crud since the beginning of the year .. we need something to help us clear our sinuses. I only recently found Cotija cheese, I had never heard of it before working for Reeser's merchandising this past summer ... OMG I love mexican food and this makes it just that much yummier ... I just bought some at Costco and the wedge is enormous

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        February 15, 2017 at 7:26 pm

        I usually leave the jalapeno out if I have people eating who don't like spice... then I serve it sliced at the table for people to add as they like. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen

      August 01, 2016 at 9:32 pm

      I had pozole when I was in Mexico a few months back, must recreate it asap!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        August 07, 2016 at 10:57 pm

        It's so yummy! Definitely comfort food for me!

        Reply
    9. Taylor Kiser

      August 01, 2016 at 7:12 pm

      This looks like a delicious dinner! Can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        August 07, 2016 at 10:58 pm

        let me know what you think. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Rachel

      May 19, 2016 at 9:15 am

      I'm allergic to corn. What would be a good substitute for hominy? No need for low carb.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        May 19, 2016 at 9:18 am

        You can add beans in place of it... 🙂 Garbanzo would be the most like the hominy.

        Reply
    11. Beth Thomas

      January 10, 2016 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      Wow. The smells of it cooking are heavenly. Taking a small bite before serving it to the family; just to correct the seasoning if I need to. I I think it tastes marvelous! I'm going to serve it over a bed of spinach in a deep bowl so that it wilts the spinach and becomes a really wonderful well rounded soup.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        January 12, 2016 at 8:41 am

        Sounds great, Beth. Loved the Facebook pics!

        Reply
    12. Beth Thomas

      January 04, 2016 at 3:43 pm

      YUM!
      Would cauliflower come close totasting like the hominy? If not, what LC food item will?

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        January 05, 2016 at 3:35 pm

        That's what I am thinking.

        Reply
    13. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats

      December 29, 2015 at 8:31 pm

      this looks like a perfect dish for new year's day! I always make my white chicken chili on new year's, so maybe it's a mexican food thing! I'll have to try yours!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:15 pm

        I love white chicken chili! This is lighter with a lot of the same flavors.

        Reply
    14. Jennifer @NourishedSimply

      December 29, 2015 at 8:22 pm

      I have never heard of this soup, but sure I would love it! I am really obsessed with my slow cooker and looking for recipe.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:14 pm

        You need to try this! So good

        Reply
    15. Patricia @ Grab a Plate

      December 29, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Mmm! I love pozole and I haven't made it in such a while! You verde version looks really great -- especially made in the slow cooker!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:13 pm

        Thanks! It's one of my favorites.

        Reply
    16. Laura Tabacca

      December 29, 2015 at 4:15 pm

      OK I adore my slow cooker and you are first person to give me the slightest twinge of buyer's remorse. IT HOOKS UP TO YOUR WIFI????? Wowza!

      I love pozole and this one looks fantastic! I especially love that it is a green one.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:12 pm

        Thanks Laura. It's so good on a cold day.. and I am so wanting that slow cooker!

        Reply
    17. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet

      December 29, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      Hominy is such a fun and delicious ingredient - this soup sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    18. Kathy Hester

      December 29, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      I love pozole and can't wait to fill my slow cooker with this recipe!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:09 pm

        Slow cookers make everything so easy!

        Reply
    19. Sara

      December 29, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      This sounds like the perfect way to warm up on a cold day and I love how it's made in the slow cooker!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 30, 2015 at 5:08 pm

        It is really amazing. 🙂

        Reply

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